Gunmen kill at least 11 people at a picnic spot
By Al Jazeera, April 12, 2026At least 11 people have now been confirmed dead after gunmen launched a deadly attack on civilians gathered at a picnic spot in Afghanistan’s Herat province.
The assault, which took place on Friday, April 12, 2026, in the Enjil district, initially left four people dead, according to provincial officials. However, authorities have since provided an updated toll, revealing that seven more victims who had sustained critical injuries later succumbed, pushing the number of fatalities to 11.
No group has claimed responsibility so far.
“Unidentified armed men” riding motorcycles opened fire near the village of Deh Mehri, an interior ministry spokesperson said. The recreational area is usually crowded on Fridays.
A Herat doctor told the media that the victims – who were Shia Muslims – had gone to a local shrine for a picnic. Shia Muslims are a minority group in Afghanistan and have been targeted in the past.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the provincial head of information and culture for the Taliban government in Herat, said the incident happened at about 15:00 local time (11:30 BST).
“In a terrorist incident, armed men opened fire on residents who had gone to Deh Mehri village in Enjil district for recreation,” he told the BBC.
Muttaqi said four bodies, as well as 15 wounded people – including two women – were taken to the Herat regional hospital.
A suspect had been arrested by security forces, he said.
The village where the attack occurred is predominantly Shiite and is home to a revered Shiite Muslim shrine that draws visitors daily for prayer and reflection, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani has said.
According to Qani, the shrine holds deep religious significance for the local community and surrounding areas, often attracting worshippers who gather there in large numbers throughout the day. The steady flow of visitors has made the village not only a spiritual centre but also a place where families and travellers frequently converge.